Deuteronomy 22:29 - then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days.
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What does "Deuteronomy 22:29" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 22:29 outlines the legal and financial consequences for a man who has sex with a woman who is a virgin and not betrothed. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then the man who lay with her...": This refers to a man who has had sexual intercourse with a woman. The text assumes this interaction was non-consensual from the woman's perspective because she is described as being "humbled."
"...shall give to the lady's father fifty shekels of silver.": This is a financial compensation paid to the woman's father. In that society, the father had a significant role in protecting his daughter's honor and future prospects for marriage. The payment of 50 shekels serves as a compensation for the loss of the daughter's virginity and the damage to her reputation, which would have significantly impacted her marriage prospects.
"She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her.": The man is obligated to marry the woman. The term "humbled" here implies he has caused her to lose her virginity outside of marriage, thus diminishing her social standing and marriage prospects. The marriage ensures her future security and provides her with a husband.
"He may not put her away all his days.": He is not allowed to divorce her at any point in the future. This provision is designed to protect the woman from being left destitute or without social standing after having been "humbled" by him. It ensures that he remains responsible for her for the rest of their lives.
Interpretation and Context:
Protection for the Woman: The law aims to provide protection and security for the woman, who would have been significantly disadvantaged in that society after losing her virginity outside of marriage. It mandates that the man take responsibility for his actions by marrying her and providing for her for life.
Patriarchal Society: It's crucial to understand that this law operates within a patriarchal social structure where women's value and status were closely tied to their virginity and marriage prospects. The law aims to mitigate the harm done to the woman's reputation and ensure her future.
No Consent: It's important to note that this law doesn't explicitly require the woman's consent to the marriage. It assumes that the man's actions have severely limited her options, and the marriage is seen as the best way to ensure her well-being.
Modern Perspectives: From a modern perspective, this law is problematic due to its assumptions about women's autonomy and the lack of explicit emphasis on consent. The idea of compensating the father for his daughter's "damage" is also offensive to contemporary sensibilities.
In summary, Deuteronomy 22:29 is an ancient law designed to protect women who had been sexually violated outside of marriage. It obligated the man to marry the woman and provide for her for life, while also compensating her father for the loss of her virginity and diminished marriage prospects. However, it is vital to understand the historical and cultural context in which this law existed, as well as its problematic aspects when viewed from a modern perspective.
Deuteronomy 22:29 - then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days.
What does "Deuteronomy 22:29" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 22:29 outlines the legal and financial consequences for a man who has sex with a woman who is a virgin and not betrothed. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then the man who lay with her...": This refers to a man who has had sexual intercourse with a woman. The text assumes this interaction was non-consensual from the woman's perspective because she is described as being "humbled."
"...shall give to the lady's father fifty shekels of silver.": This is a financial compensation paid to the woman's father. In that society, the father had a significant role in protecting his daughter's honor and future prospects for marriage. The payment of 50 shekels serves as a compensation for the loss of the daughter's virginity and the damage to her reputation, which would have significantly impacted her marriage prospects.
"She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her.": The man is obligated to marry the woman. The term "humbled" here implies he has caused her to lose her virginity outside of marriage, thus diminishing her social standing and marriage prospects. The marriage ensures her future security and provides her with a husband.
"He may not put her away all his days.": He is not allowed to divorce her at any point in the future. This provision is designed to protect the woman from being left destitute or without social standing after having been "humbled" by him. It ensures that he remains responsible for her for the rest of their lives.
Interpretation and Context:
Protection for the Woman: The law aims to provide protection and security for the woman, who would have been significantly disadvantaged in that society after losing her virginity outside of marriage. It mandates that the man take responsibility for his actions by marrying her and providing for her for life.
Patriarchal Society: It's crucial to understand that this law operates within a patriarchal social structure where women's value and status were closely tied to their virginity and marriage prospects. The law aims to mitigate the harm done to the woman's reputation and ensure her future.
No Consent: It's important to note that this law doesn't explicitly require the woman's consent to the marriage. It assumes that the man's actions have severely limited her options, and the marriage is seen as the best way to ensure her well-being.
Modern Perspectives: From a modern perspective, this law is problematic due to its assumptions about women's autonomy and the lack of explicit emphasis on consent. The idea of compensating the father for his daughter's "damage" is also offensive to contemporary sensibilities.
In summary, Deuteronomy 22:29 is an ancient law designed to protect women who had been sexually violated outside of marriage. It obligated the man to marry the woman and provide for her for life, while also compensating her father for the loss of her virginity and diminished marriage prospects. However, it is vital to understand the historical and cultural context in which this law existed, as well as its problematic aspects when viewed from a modern perspective.